Posts Tagged ‘Billy Beane’

A’s outfielder Matt Holliday to the Cardinals for top prospect Brett Wallace, OF Shane Peterson and P Clayton Mortenson: The obvious winners of this deal are the Cardinals. In the past, Billy Beane has been known to get top value in deals such as this, but not so this time. Wallace is a top prospect, and his lit it up in the minor leagues so far. Although, there are concerns about his defense, and his body. Peterson and Mortenson aren’t even considered top prospects. So essentially, the Cardinals gave up a bat, and a couple of mid level prospects, to become NL Central favorites.

Grade: A for the Cardinals, F for the Athletics

Indian’s Ryan Garko to the Giants for P Scott Barnes: It’s been known for months now that the Giants needed a bat. Garko is young, and has the potential to be a decent power hitter. Although he’s having a down year this year, Garko will split time with Giant’s prospect John Bower at first base, supplying them with some offense they desperately needed. Scott Barnes was at Triple-A for the Giants, and led the league in wins at the time of the trade.

Grade: B for the Giants, B- for the Indians

Indians’ reliever Rafael Betancourt to the Rockies for P Connor Graham: The Rockies are somehow, again, in the playoff race. Their starters have been great this whole season, while the bullpen has struggled at times. They needed to add depth before the injury of Manny Corpas, who could be out for the year. The Rockies filled the void with Rafael Betancourt. The Indians got a prospect from Single-A, in Connor Graham, that has the potential to be a power pitcher in the Majors. The Indians got just what they wanted, and are building for the future.

Grade : B for the Rockies, B for the Indians

Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo to the Cardinals for OF Chris Duncan: Boston had been desperately trying to get rid of Lugo, and designated him for assignment last week. They had ten days to trade him, and completed a deal that got Boston Cardinal’s outfielder Chris Duncan, who had struggled the whole season. Boston sent Duncan to Triple-A, and he was acquired strictly for depth. Lugo on the other hand, went on a tear once being acquired by the Cardinals, and has kept it up for nearly a week. He fills the void the Cardinals had all season in the middle infield.

Grade: B for the Red Sox, B+ for the Cardinals

Pirate’s first basemen Adam LaRoche to the Red Sox for SS Argenis Dias and P Hunter Strickland: The Red Sox added some more depth in this trade, as well as a needed bat. Adam LaRoche will play first base against right handers, while Youkilis would play third. LaRoche will sit against leftys, and ailing third basemen Mike Lowell would play third, while Youkilis would slide to first. LaRoche’s stance and swing is built for Fenway, and that miniscule right field porch. The Pirates got what they wanted out of this deal, which was dumping LaRoche’s salary, and got some decent prospects for the future.

Grade: B+ for the Red Sox, C for the Pirates

Just announced and pending physicals: Phillies’ P Carlos Carrasco, SS Jason Donald, C Lou Marson, and P Jason Knapp to the Indians for P Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco: After talks with the Blue Jays went dead, the Phillies turned their attentions to Cliff Lee. The Indians demands were not quite as high as the Blue Jays, which allowed the Phils to keep top prospect P Kyle Drabek and rookie of the year candidate P J.A. Happ. The Phillies gave up top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco, who had been inconsistent in Triple-A for parts of the past two years. Shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson were members of the Olympic squad last year, and rose quickly through the minor league system. Donald was thought to possibly take 3B Pedro Feliz’s spot next year, and Marson could have shared catching duties with Carlos Ruiz. Pitcher Jason Knapp had been struggling at Single-A all year. The Phillies got another top pitcher that they needed in Cliff Lee, and a more effective backup outfielder in Ben Francisco.

Grade : B+ for the Phillies, B for the Indians

More analysis on the 2009 Trading Deadline is still to come, including an overall analysis after the deadline passes.